DeVry University Says “Dream Big” to High School Girls Across the Country Through its HerWorld Programs

HerWorld Events Introduce High School Students to New Careers,
Emphasizing Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM)

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill., December 09, 2009 -
While millions of adult workers in America contemplate changing careers
or how to make themselves more valuable in the eyes of employers, DeVry
University is helping high school women in cities across the country to
learn about in-demand careers of the 21st century.

DeVry University’s nationwide HerWorld program aims to empower more high
school girls to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and
math) careers. Now in its 12th year, the program provides an
opportunity for students to participate in educational and
confidence-building workshops, listen to female leaders discuss their
careers and how they managed to get where they are today, and gain
inspiration toward their future endeavors.

“As Americans in the workforce become increasingly proactive about
career decisions, younger generations are following suit,” said Dave
Pauldine, president of DeVry University. “Programs such as HerWorld give
young women the additional support they need to pursue their educational
and career goals.”

More than 500 local high school girls are expected to attend the
HerWorld event in New York City on Dec. 11, where they will hear from
speakers such as Debra Kral, NASA’s Vehicle Launch Manager and also work
together to build miniature robots. At the end, the students will walk
away with new inspiration and the knowledge that no career dream is out
of reach.

The national importance and relevance of this topic is evident in the
creation of programs meant to increase interest for STEM subjects among
students. President Obama’s recent announcement of the Educate to
Innovate program, which aims to encourage students to explore the STEM
fields outside of school, is just one example of the public,
governmental, and corporate support for STEM initiatives.

DeVry University often enlists the school’s corporate partners to
participate in the HerWorld events. Angela Jones, the lead of
Accenture’s health and public services operating unit, supports the
empowering message that HerWorld delivers.

“It’s important that girls engage in activities that expand their
ability to be naturally curious and apply logic in a variety of ways,”
says Jones. “Our world is changing so quickly – tomorrow the tools will
be different, and the way we interact and collaborate will continue to
change. It will be our ability to adjust and problem-solve within those
environments that will help us to remain competitive.”

“It’s important for parents, school administrators and mentors to
instill confidence in girls at a young age, since unfortunately the
belief that men are better suited for certain careers still exists, even
if it’s not the mainstream sentiment,” continues Kral. “While the number
of women in my field is growing, we are still under-represented when
compared to our male colleagues and I’d like to see those figures change
with this next generation of women." As evidence of Kral’s observation,
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that although women
currently make up more than half of the American workforce, they hold
only 28 percent of the technology positions.

Since the program’s inception in 1997, HerWorld has made an impression
on the minds and spirits of tens of thousands of high school-aged women,
including Heidy Alonzo, a student at the DeVry College of New York, who
attributes her decision to enroll in the networking program to HerWorld.
“As an unsure high school student, HerWorld gave me the confidence to
pursue a path that I know will allow me to find success upon
graduation,” Alonzo said.

About DeVry University

As one of the largest degree-granting higher education systems in North
America, DeVry University provides high-quality, career-oriented
associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology,
science, business and the arts. Nearly 70,000 students are enrolled at
its 94 locations in 26 states and Canada, as well as through DeVry
University’s online delivery. DeVry University is accredited by The
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.
DeVry University, a division of DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), is based in
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For more information about DeVry University,
visit www.devry.edu.

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